Welcome to the New Year!  As an introduction, let me tell you that it is an honor to serve as chair for the Epidemiology Section.  It will be a challenge to match the passion and fortitude put forth by our Immediate Past Chair, James Gaudino; however, with your assistance the Section will continue to promote the ideas, programs and policies that were developed the past two years under Jim’s leadership.

Over the next two years, the Section will be focusing on, 'The Future of the Epidemiology Section APHA.'  With the economic and career challenges we have been facing, we need to secure our future.  This year’s goal is to pull together the resources and materials needed for strategic planning.  We will focus on this goal during our business meetings at the 2010 and 2011 APHA Annual Meetings.  The business meeting venue is our only in-person time with Section membership; we need to use it effectively.  I encourage you to help plan your future with and the future of the Section by contacting me with your suggestions and proposals and to attend the business meetings.  In advance of the Annual Meeting I will distribute the business meetings schedules and agendas by e-mail to our membership and also post them on our Internet site. 

As you page through this issue of our newsletter you will find highlights of the 2009 Annual Meeting.  We sponsored a fascinating awards session as evidenced by Laurie Elam-Evans’ inspiring introduction of Dr. Bill Jenkins, the 2009 Abraham Lilienfeld Award recipient, and Jim Gaudino’s introduction of Dr. Euguene Gangarosa, the Wade Hampton Frost Lectureship Award recipient.  Dr. Richard Kaslow was the John Snow Award recipient.  Kristopher Fennie’s article informs us about the Section’s most recent awards, the Public Health Practice Awards.  As for the Section’s policy activities, Howell Sasser provides an update on Governing Council.  The culminating presentation celebrated the Section’s 80th Anniversary, 1929-2009; included in this issue are Jim Gaudino’s remarks and a photo of our congratulatory award.

The Section is continually seeking out members who wish an active role with the Section; please take note of the article seeking volunteers to place their name on the ballot for Section Councilor or Governing Councilor.  We also have several committees including: Program Planning Committee; Membership & Communications Committee; Policy Committee; Awards Committee; Nominations Committee; 2011 Epi Congress Committee; and Student Committee.  We welcome your active role in any of these committees.

Claudia A. Kozinetz, PhD, MPH
Chair, APHA Epidemiology Section